Ostrava celebrates rebirth of national monument
On the night of April 2, 2002, one of the oldest wooden churches in the world caught fire due to an electrical fault. Flames shot 25 metres high and all attempts at saving the building failed. St. Catherine's Church, located in the northern Moravian city Ostrava, was one of the most important monuments in the region and the tragic fire came as a shock to residents. Now, a little over two years later, the church stands once again, looking just as it did before.
Almost immediately after the fire, the district authority launched a public collection and together with the local parish accumulated 2.5 million crowns. Sixteen million crowns was provided by the insurance company and in June last year, the project to build a replica of the church was started. It was built with the same techniques as the original church and some 700m3 of wood. Four 150 year-old oak-trees, sponsored by the organisation Czech Forests, were used to build the church's foundation. Jiri Strniste is from the local council:
"St. Catherine's Church was the second oldest monument here in Ostrava. It dates back to 1543, which means that it's not just the oldest wooden church in northern Moravia but in Central Europe. So, even though many residents here are atheists, the church was a dominant building in their district and meant a lot to them. That is why they did not hesitate to donate money for its reconstruction."
The church's two bells were also destroyed in the fire and new ones had to be cast. One weighs 349 kg and the other 221.5kg. Mr. Strniste again:
"The church really is the exact replica of the original. Certain changes were made to the interior so that it now has social facilities and heating. The wood that was not destroyed by the fire was used in the new construction so the church could be named a cultural heritage site."
And those of you who will be in northern Moravia this Saturday can go to the festive opening of the church at which the church bells will be rung for the first time since the fire two years ago. There will also be performances from various choirs, a band, and the theatre group Celtic.
